The Right Whale Expedition is an initiative that carries out aerial monitoring of right whales that visit the southern coast of Brazil between the months of July and November. The objective is to monitor the population of these animals, which are considered threatened with extinction, and contribute to their conservation.
The expedition is a joint action of the SCPAR Porto de Imbituba Right Whale Monitoring Program (SC) and the Franca Austral Project, carried out by the Australis Institute, with Petrobras sponsorship.
How many right whales have been seen?
Between the 15th and 18th of September, the expedition carried out an extended overflight that covered the coasts of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná. In total, 1,200 kilometers were traveled by helicopter.
225 right whales were sighted (110 mothers, accompanied by calves, and five adults alone). The largest concentration occurred in Santa Catarina, between Ibiraquera beach, Imbituba, and Mar Grosso (Laguna). In Florianópolis, whales were seen on the beaches of Joaquina and Mozambique. In Rio Grande do Sul, the largest quantity was recorded between Capão da Canoa and Tramandaí. Paraná did not have any sightings.
According to Eduardo Renault, Research Manager at ProFRANCA“in relation to previous years, it was a period with an above-average number of whales, close to the number recorded in 2022. The distribution pattern was similar, but what was interesting was having few whales in traditional coves in the northern part of the Right Whale Environmental Protection, such as the Gamboa cove, in Garopaba. It was a little different from the standard we usually record.”
What are the characteristics of right whales?
Right whales are marine mammals that can measure up to 18 meters in length and weigh up to 80 tons. They feed mainly on small crustaceans called copepods. They have calluses on their heads, which are unique to each individual and allow for identification.
Right whales migrate to the temperate waters off the southern coast of Brazil in the winter and spring to breed and care for their calves. They prefer coves protected from waves and strong winds, where they find ideal conditions for the development of their young.
What were the highlights of the flyover?
During the overflight, the aerial monitoring team recorded some known ancient whales, including the Zebrinha, cataloged with number B194, known since 2002, which this year had a semi-albino calf. A whale was also recorded that had been seen on the beach in Mozambique, with a piece of fishing net attached to its head – and now free from the elements.
A rare female semi-albino whale caught our attention. The occurrence of this characteristic has been recorded in Brazil, but female right whales with this characteristic are rare. It was the first time that the event was detected on the Brazilian coast.
The photos of the whales will be used to identify adult individuals and update the photographic catalog of the Brazilian right whale population.
How to follow the Baleia-Franca Expedition?
The Right Whale Expedition publishes the results of overflights and other information about right whales on the Australis Institute’s social networks (Instagram e Facebook) and the Port of Imbituba (Facebook e Instagram).
It is also possible to follow right whales up close, through on-board observation tourism, which is regulated by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and carried out by accredited operators. The activity is a way of raising people’s awareness of the importance of conserving these animals and generating income for local communities.
Importance of monitoring
According to Mariana Silvano, a biologist from the company Acquaplan, a company contracted from the Port of Imbituba and who was part of the expedition’s aerial team, “in the Porto region, several groups of right whales were sighted, demonstrating the importance of this area for the species, which reinforces the relevance of continuous monitoring of port activities by researchers”.
According to Karina Groch, Research Director at ProFRANCA, “we already expected it to be a season with a large number of whales, based on the numbers we have been recording since June, when the first individuals arrived. The awareness and monitoring work has been essential for its preservation, conservation and increase in individuals”, explains Karina. Since monitoring began in the 1980s, the highest number was recorded in 2018, when 273 whales were sighted.
For Paulo Márcio de Souza, Environment Manager at SCPAR Porto de Imbituba, the Baleia-Franca Expedition brought excellent results for everyone who works for the conservation of the species. “The extended flyover showed that the population is increasingly occupying more areas along the coast of southern Brazil, which reinforces the commitment of all of us to care for and protect these giants,” he said.
Monitoring
Systematic monitoring from land is being carried out by the ProFRANCA project across 15 fixed points in the Baleia Franca APA region. The methodology used continues the long-term studies carried out by the Australis Institute, to evaluate the abundance, distribution pattern, seasonality and behavior of right whales.
In the Port of Imbituba region, the Right Whale Monitoring Program is part of the Environmental Control Plan (PCA) of SCPAR Porto de Imbituba. Carried out 15 years ago, the work covers two methodologies: aerial and ground monitoring. By land, observation takes place at fixed points in the coves of Porto and Ribanceira beaches, between the months of July and November, and is carried out by the company Acquaplan Tecnologia e Consultoria Ambiental.
Monitoring the frequency of cetaceans in the region allows the Port to establish operational controls aimed at conserving the species. “The information collected throughout the season allows us to analyze the frequency of use and behavior of whales, in order to guarantee the safety and conservation of the species in harmony with the continuity of port operations”, assesses Camila Amorim, oceanographer at SCPAR Porto de Imbituba .
Right whales
The right whale is a species still threatened with extinction in Brazil, and has an estimated population of around 500 individuals and a growth rate of 4% per year. The numbers are the result of a doctoral thesis, including an analysis of 15 years of data from monitoring overflights of the species. Carrying out and continuing this systematic long-term monitoring is essential to monitor the population recovery of the species in southern Brazil.
O ProFRANCA – Franca Austral Project – is carried out by the Australis Institute and is sponsored by Petrobras and the Federal Government, through the Petrobras Socioenvironmental Program.
To find out more visit www.baleiafranca.org.br and follow our social media @institutoaustralis.
The Right Whale Expedition is an initiative that carries out aerial monitoring of right whales that visit the southern coast of Brazil between the months of July and November. The objective is to monitor the population of these animals, which are considered threatened with extinction, and contribute to their conservation.
The expedition is a joint action of the SCPAR Porto de Imbituba Right Whale Monitoring Program (SC) and the Franca Austral Project, carried out by the Australis Institute, with Petrobras sponsorship.
How many right whales have been seen?
Between the 15th and 18th of September, the expedition carried out an extended overflight that covered the coasts of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina and Paraná. In total, 1,200 kilometers were traveled by helicopter.
225 right whales were sighted (110 mothers, accompanied by calves, and five adults alone). The largest concentration occurred in Santa Catarina, between Ibiraquera beach, Imbituba, and Mar Grosso (Laguna). In Florianópolis, whales were seen on the beaches of Joaquina and Mozambique. In Rio Grande do Sul, the largest quantity was recorded between Capão da Canoa and Tramandaí. Paraná did not have any sightings.
According to Eduardo Renault, Research Manager at ProFRANCA“in relation to previous years, it was a period with an above-average number of whales, close to the number recorded in 2022. The distribution pattern was similar, but what was interesting was having few whales in traditional coves in the northern part of the Right Whale Environmental Protection, such as the Gamboa cove, in Garopaba. It was a little different from the standard we usually record.”
What are the characteristics of right whales?
Right whales are marine mammals that can measure up to 18 meters in length and weigh up to 80 tons. They feed mainly on small crustaceans called copepods. They have calluses on their heads, which are unique to each individual and allow for identification.
Right whales migrate to the temperate waters off the southern coast of Brazil in the winter and spring to breed and care for their calves. They prefer coves protected from waves and strong winds, where they find ideal conditions for the development of their young.
What were the highlights of the flyover?
During the overflight, the aerial monitoring team recorded some known ancient whales, including the Zebrinha, cataloged with number B194, known since 2002, which this year had a semi-albino calf. A whale was also recorded that had been seen on the beach in Mozambique, with a piece of fishing net attached to its head – and now free from the elements.
A rare female semi-albino whale caught our attention. The occurrence of this characteristic has been recorded in Brazil, but female right whales with this characteristic are rare. It was the first time that the event was detected on the Brazilian coast.
The photos of the whales will be used to identify adult individuals and update the photographic catalog of the Brazilian right whale population.
How to follow the Baleia-Franca Expedition?
The Right Whale Expedition publishes the results of overflights and other information about right whales on the Australis Institute’s social networks (Instagram e Facebook) and the Port of Imbituba (Facebook e Instagram).
It is also possible to follow right whales up close, through on-board observation tourism, which is regulated by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and carried out by accredited operators. The activity is a way of raising people’s awareness of the importance of conserving these animals and generating income for local communities.
Importance of monitoring
According to Mariana Silvano, a biologist from the company Acquaplan, a company contracted from the Port of Imbituba and who was part of the expedition’s aerial team, “in the Porto region, several groups of right whales were sighted, demonstrating the importance of this area for the species, which reinforces the relevance of continuous monitoring of port activities by researchers”.
According to Karina Groch, Research Director at ProFRANCA, “we already expected it to be a season with a large number of whales, based on the numbers we have been recording since June, when the first individuals arrived. The awareness and monitoring work has been essential for its preservation, conservation and increase in individuals”, explains Karina. Since monitoring began in the 1980s, the highest number was recorded in 2018, when 273 whales were sighted.
For Paulo Márcio de Souza, Environment Manager at SCPAR Porto de Imbituba, the Baleia-Franca Expedition brought excellent results for everyone who works for the conservation of the species. “The extended flyover showed that the population is increasingly occupying more areas along the coast of southern Brazil, which reinforces the commitment of all of us to care for and protect these giants,” he said.
Monitoring
Systematic monitoring from land is being carried out by the ProFRANCA project across 15 fixed points in the Baleia Franca APA region. The methodology used continues the long-term studies carried out by the Australis Institute, to evaluate the abundance, distribution pattern, seasonality and behavior of right whales.
In the Port of Imbituba region, the Right Whale Monitoring Program is part of the Environmental Control Plan (PCA) of SCPAR Porto de Imbituba. Carried out 15 years ago, the work covers two methodologies: aerial and ground monitoring. By land, observation takes place at fixed points in the coves of Porto and Ribanceira beaches, between the months of July and November, and is carried out by the company Acquaplan Tecnologia e Consultoria Ambiental.
Monitoring the frequency of cetaceans in the region allows the Port to establish operational controls aimed at conserving the species. “The information collected throughout the season allows us to analyze the frequency of use and behavior of whales, in order to guarantee the safety and conservation of the species in harmony with the continuity of port operations”, assesses Camila Amorim, oceanographer at SCPAR Porto de Imbituba .
Right whales
The right whale is a species still threatened with extinction in Brazil, and has an estimated population of around 500 individuals and a growth rate of 4% per year. The numbers are the result of a doctoral thesis, including an analysis of 15 years of data from monitoring overflights of the species. Carrying out and continuing this systematic long-term monitoring is essential to monitor the population recovery of the species in southern Brazil.
O ProFRANCA – Franca Austral Project – is carried out by the Australis Institute and is sponsored by Petrobras and the Federal Government, through the Petrobras Socioenvironmental Program.
To find out more visit www.baleiafranca.org.br and follow our social media @institutoaustralis.
